Greenberry leaped over Rutgers freshman defensive back Anthony Cioffi for a spectacular 10-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter. “This is just nasty,” the ESPN announcer said in describing the play.

• Offensive play of the year II: Wide receiver Daniel Spencer touchdown catch vs. BYUWatch play

Spencer made a shoestring catch around the 30-yard line, kept his balance and reversed field. He picked up a late block on the 41-yard catch-and-run touchdown to give the Cougars a 38-31 halftime lead.

• Defensive play of the year I: Defensive end Tyus Bowser sack vs. South FloridaWatch play

With the Cougars clinging to a 28-23 lead late in the fourth quarter, Bowser forced a fumble on a sack of Mike White that was recovered by Jeremiah Farley. The Cougars converted the turnover into a 5-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Farrow to put the game out of reach.

• Defensive play of the year II: Cornerback Adrian McDonald interception vs. TempleWatch play

McDonald perfectly read a poorly thrown ball, intercepting it near midfield and returning it 40 yards to seal the Cougars’ 15-13 win in their American Athletic Conference debut.

• Special teams play of the year I: B.J. Singleton blocked field-goal attempt and Brandon Wilson 78-yard return for touchdown vs. UTSA

UTSA lined up for a potential tying field goal late in the third quarter but Singleton had other ideas, finding a crease to block the kick. The ball hit Singleton in the facemask, took a bounce off the artificial turf and into the waiting hands of Wilson, who returned it 78 yards for a touchdown. The Cougars would score the game’s final 28 points en route to a 59-28 blowout of the Roadrunners.

• Special teams play of the year II: Demarcus Ayers 95-yard kickoff return vs. BYUWatch play

With the Cougars down 10-0 in the first quarter, Ayers took the kickoff at the 5-yard line, made a move outside and got an incredible block from Earl Foster, who obliterated BYU kicker Justn Sorenson. Ayers broke one tackle, cut back inside and went untouched the final 40 yards.

Dominique Brown #10 of the Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Efrem Oliphant

Dominique Brown #10 of the Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Efrem Oliphant

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Dominique Brown #10 of the Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Efrem Oliphant #50 of the Cougars.

Dominique Brown #10 of the Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Efrem Oliphant #50 of the Cougars.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Cardinals throws a pass.

Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Cardinals throws a pass.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Cardinals is sacked by Kelechi Ejekam #41 of the Cougars.

Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Cardinals is sacked by Kelechi Ejekam #41 of the Cougars.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Senorise Perry #32 of the Cardinals runs with the ball.

Senorise Perry #32 of the Cardinals runs with the ball.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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John O'Korn #5 of the Cougars runs with the ball.

John O'Korn #5 of the Cougars runs with the ball.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Daniel Spencer #4 of the Cougars runs with the ball.

Daniel Spencer #4 of the Cougars runs with the ball.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Greg Ward Jr #1 of the Cougars dives forward for yardage.

Greg Ward Jr #1 of the Cougars dives forward for yardage.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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<center><strong>Nov. 9: USF 19, UH 14<br>Record: 7-2<br></center></strong>
Houston quarterback John O'Korn, left, is thrown for a loss as he is tackled by Central Florida's Troy Gray during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/John Raoux) less

<center><strong>Nov. 9: USF 19, UH 14<br>Record: 7-2<br></center></strong>
Houston quarterback John O'Korn, left, is thrown for a loss as he is tackled by Central Florida's Troy Gray during the first half ... more

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

Image 43 of 189

Houston quarterback John O'Korn (5) is tackled by Central Florida linebacker Troy Gray, top, and defensive back Jordan Ozerities, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/John Raoux) less

Houston quarterback John O'Korn (5) is tackled by Central Florida linebacker Troy Gray, top, and defensive back Jordan Ozerities, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., ... more

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

Image 44 of 189

Central Florida running back Storm Johnson (8) gains yardage as he gets past Houston's Adrian McDonald (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/John Raoux) less

Central Florida running back Storm Johnson (8) gains yardage as he gets past Houston's Adrian McDonald (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP ... more

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

Image 45 of 189

Houston running back Ryan Jackson, left, looks for a way around Central Florida's Thomas Niles (69) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/John Raoux) less

Houston running back Ryan Jackson, left, looks for a way around Central Florida's Thomas Niles (69) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Orland